Chicago Dental Assistant Jobs Overview
Dental offices would stop functioning without dental assistant jobs. Busy dentists aren't able to be with patients at all times and are usually focused on performing technical or complex dental treatments. Dental assistants are needed to make patients comfortable and assist dentists during dental procedures. You can usually become a dental assistant with a high school diploma and just a couple years of extra education or training.
You may want to consider a job as a dental assistant if you enjoy bringing a smile to the faces of both coworkers and patients and working in a calm environment with high hygiene standards. You'll be reviewing and updating patients' health histories, recording patient concerns, preparing the exam room for appointments, disinfecting and sterilizing instruments, cleaning treatment rooms, and giving patients instructions for oral care after surgery. These skills are in high demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental assistant jobs are projected to increase by 7% over the next decade.
You can expand your search for healthcare support jobs by checking out these similar positions:
About Working in Chicago, Illinois
If you're going to Chicago to experience "da Bears," deep-dish pizza, and windy streets, native Chicagoans say "fogetta 'bout it!" While these have made Chicago famous, you'll find many locals eating thin-crust, tavern-style pie. Plus, the city isn't on any list of the windiest cities in the U.S.—a local newspaper named it "The Windy City" after the Chicago elite's propensity toward boastfulness and self-promotion. And while the Chicago jobs list (hit jobs, that is) includes notorious mobsters from Chicago like Al Capone, John Dillinger, and Baby Face Nelson, linguists are noticing that the "Chicago accent" is disappearing.
However, there's a reason Condé Nast Traveler has named Chicago the "best big city in the U.S." Chicago is home to top universities, including Northwestern University, Wheaton College, and Valparaiso. And if you're looking for Chicago jobs, you can relocate to any one of the city's unique neighborhoods, such as North Center with its cozy Irish pubs and breweries or Uptown, the lively entertainment district. For those who want to live further out from the city, you can also find jobs in popular suburbs including Cicero, Oak Park, and Evanston.
Update Your Chicago Dental Assistant Resume
Every job application will ask for a resume. But don't worry! Writing a dental assistant resume doesn't have to be as painful as a root canal. Monster has the information you need to impress your local dental office in our sample dental assistant resume. And while you're here, why not add a dental assistant cover letter? Cover letters are an effective tool for personalizing your intent and showing hiring managers how your skills will benefit them.
How Much Do Dental Assistant Jobs Pay in Chicago, Illinois?
Got money on your mind? You should! Make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth. Our Salary Tools can help you understand what you can expect to make in dental assistant jobs in Chicago, Illinois, as well as the skills that can boost your value and what the next steps in your career might be. Right now, the median dental assistant pay in Chicago is $17.86 per hour, which is 1% higher than the national average.
Find Your Next Chicago Dental Assistant Job. Monster Can Help Get You Started
Are you prepared for a career in dental assistant? If so, set up your profile on Monster for free and begin clicking on those dental assistant jobs. When you sign up with us, you’ll receive custom job alerts and expert advice on how to negotiate your salary in Chicago, how to nail your job interview, and more.